Written Answers Nos. 580-598
583. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of judicial reviews taken against decisions of the International Protection Office or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in the years 2019 to date, by year and by outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14027/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
In 2024 the International Protection Office (IPO) delivered over 14,000 first-instance decisions compared to over 8,500 in 2023, while the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) closed around 3,100 appeals in 2024 compared to over 1,700 in 2023.
I intend to further invest in the immigration system to support an ambitious target in the IPO of 25,000 first-instance decisions this year. The IPAT also aims to increase the number of appeals completed over the course of 2025 with recruitment of Tribunal Members to increase its decision making capacity currently taking place.
The table below details data on IPO judicial reviews received since 2019, the number finalised and a breakdown of the number finalised:
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Number of IPO JRs Received |
93 |
125 |
32 |
35 |
61 |
83 |
33 |
|
Number finalised |
73 |
104 |
30 |
26 |
45 |
18 |
9 |
|
Breakdown of number finalised: |
|||||||
|
Struck out cost to applicant |
1 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
|
|
Struck out cost to respondent |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Struck out no order |
18 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
||
|
Withdrawn |
8 |
38 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
||
|
Settled |
32 |
45 |
13 |
21 |
29 |
12 |
4 |
|
Case Lost |
6 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|||
|
Case Won |
2 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Leave refused |
5 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Leave set aside |
1 |
||||||
|
Case Moot |
1 |
||||||
|
Case dismissed |
1 |
*to 21 March 2025
The table below details data on IPAT judicial reviews received since 2019, the number finalised and a breakdown of the number finalised:
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
Number of IPAT Cases received |
117 |
126 |
59 |
42 |
157 |
200 |
66 |
|
Number finalised |
110 |
123 |
57 |
40 |
108 |
54 |
31 |
|
Breakdown of number finalised: |
|||||||
|
Struck Out cost to applicant |
13 |
17 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
2 |
|
Struck out cost to respondent |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Struck out no order |
10 |
22 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
||
|
Withdrawn |
6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Settled |
39 |
38 |
20 |
26 |
87 |
36 |
19 |
|
Case lost |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
|
Case won |
2 |
9 |
19 |
4 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
Leave refused |
21 |
15 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Leave granted |
12 |
14 |
3 |
||||
|
Leave set aside |
1 |
||||||
|
Case moot |
|||||||
|
Case dismissed |
1 |
*to 21 March 2025
All figures shown are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
584. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice can he confirm that he has no plans to train trainee gardaí in any location other than Templemore Training College. [14033/25]
View answerI am committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. I will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe, including to invest in recruitment, in equipment and technology and in buildings. Over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2025. This is a 27% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
The Deputy can be assured that my overriding commitment is to meet its target to recruit 5,000 Gardaí and will ensure that the training capacity is in place to do so.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to increase the training capacity at Templemore and to consider the establishment of a second Garda training college.
A group was established last year to review Garda Trainee recruitment and training capacity and is chaired by my Department. I look forward to the submission of the final report to me in the summer which I expect will include further measures to support recruitment to An Garda Síochána.
585. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14056/25]
View answerMy Department, as part of its Interim Customer Charter and Customer Service Action Plan 2023 - 2025, has committed to fulfilling its 'Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty' as set out in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. This includes a commitment to provide Irish Sign Language (ISL) translation services where customers need them, as per the Irish Sign Language Act 2017, and to use closed captions (subtitles) in all video messages.
Between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, 36% of posts made on my Department’s social media accounts contained video in some format. Of the total amount of videos posted, 98% contained text-based content and/or captioning/subtitles.
Information from those agencies under the aegis of my Department that have posted videos on social media accounts is set out in the table below.
|
Agency |
% Closed Captions/Subtitles |
|
An Garda Síochána |
96* |
|
Courts Service of Ireland |
1.4** |
|
Garda Inspectorate |
100 |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
100 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
57 |
|
Irish Prison Service |
26 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
100 |
|
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
75*** |
|
Policing Authority |
100 |
|
Probation Service |
100 |
* There were 6 live streamed events during 2024. 5 (83%) had a live Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter.
** The majority of videos were provided on platforms which allowed the users to choose a subtitle option where required.
*** 25% of videos posted on social media had ISL interpretation.
The text and audio versions of the Interim Customer Charter can be accessed at this link - www.gov.ie/en/publication/76c39-department-of-justice-interim-customer-charter/
An Irish Sign Language (ISL) version can be accessed here - www.youtube.com/embed/HzG5Ze_U21w
586. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice whether it is planned to conduct a review of the legal aid fees payable to solicitors on the District Court family law solicitors panel with a view to ensuring that more solicitors are able to do family law legal aid work, and to clearing the backlog in family law applications in the District Court in areas such as applications for domestic violence orders, disputes regarding custody, access to children and maintenance applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14065/25]
View answerAll fees payable in respect of casework completed by private solicitors on behalf of the Legal Aid Board are reviewed periodically and any adjustment requires approval by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR).
I can confirm that the Legal Aid Board has sought an increase in the fees payable to solicitors on the District Court Family Law Solicitors’ Panel and that this is the subject of engagement with DPENDPR.
I can further advise the Deputy that a Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme is ongoing. The Review Group is chaired by a former Chief Justice, Mr. Frank Clarke SC. The Group is considering many aspects of the Scheme, in line with its terms of reference. I understand that the Group is in the final stages of drafting their report, which I expect to receive shortly.
587. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the status of local community safety partnerships in each local authority and Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/25]
View answer588. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice when he expects that each local community safety partnership will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/25]
View answer589. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the role he plans for elected representatives, local councillors and Oireachtas members, within the local community safety partnership structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14172/25]
View answer590. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he will advise local authorities to re-establish joint policing committees until such stage as local community safety partnership structures are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14173/25]
View answer591. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if there are joint policing committees operating until such stage as local community safety partnership structures are in place; the local authorities where this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14174/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 587 to 591, inclusive, together.
A key principle of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to promote community safety.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides for the establishment of this national infrastructure, central to which are Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) which will operate at each local authority level.
LCSPs will replace and build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees, supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.
The objective is to bring the relevant bodies, including the Gardaí, together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified and prioritised by local people.
The establishment and management of JPCs is overseen by the Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána. Some Local Authorities may be providing a forum for elected members to engage with Gardaí during the transition from JPC to LCSP structures. My Department does not hold data on such meetings or arrangements.
Local elected representatives have an important role to play in the Partnerships. Each LCSP will have seven elected council members as part of its mandated membership. In addition, all local elected representatives, including Oireachtas members, will have opportunities to attend and participate in meetings of their local Partnership.
Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. They will take a strategic approach to the work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
A total of 36 Partnerships will be established, based in each local authority area. Each LCSP will be supported by a fulltime coordinator and fulltime administrator resourced by the Department of Justice and will be led by a voluntary Chair.
The Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety. A function of this Office is to provide training, guidance and support to the Partnerships. In preparation for the establishment of the National Office a number of staff, including a Director Designate, have been appointed. These staff are engaging directly with local authorities and other stakeholders to support the establishment of the Partnerships.
I intend to commence the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 with effect from 2 April 2025.
592. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to improve supports for people who experience workplace violence, threats, stalking and stranger violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/25]
View answerImproving the experience of all victims engaging with the criminal justice system has been a priority for me since taking office. Under Budget 2025, €3,574,000 was allocated to support victims of crime.
Coming forward to report a crime can be a traumatic experience for victims and I am determined to do everything in my power to ensure that the criminal justice system empowers victims to have the confidence to report an offence, knowing they will be supported, informed, and treated respectfully for the entirety of the difficult journey they have to face. A significant amount of work has already been undertaken in this area, including through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victims Journey’; a detailed implementation plan to give effect to the recommendations made in the O'Malley Review, which was published in 2020.
Reforming our criminal justice system to make it more victim-centred is also a central focus of our Zero Tolerance Strategy for combatting Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, which builds on the reforms already introduced. The 2024 Zero Tolerance implementation plan was launched last April. Key actions include increasing refuge spaces, empowering frontline professionals, reframing our understanding of ‘safe spaces’, creating a national services development plan and progressing legislative reform. Similar commitments will be progressed in the 2025/2026 implementation plan which Cuan will publish in the coming months.
A number of legislative reforms have been introduced in recent years to better protect people from serious violent offending, including by ensuring increased sentenced are available to the courts for certain violent offences. A new offence of stalking was introduced in 2023, which carries a sentence of up to ten years imprisonment. In the same year, the maximum sentence for assault causing harm was also doubled from 5 to 10 years imprisonment. A sentence of up to life imprisonment is already available for the offence of causing serious harm.
The 'Victims of Crime – Know Your Rights' campaign was launched in April of 2023 in order to inform victims of what to expect, what their legal rights are and the supports available at every step in the process when they engage with the justice system. The campaign directs people to the VictimsCharter.ie website, which sets out an individual's rights in an easily accessible manner and helps victims of crime to locate services and supports.
The rights and obligations of both employers and employees in relation to health and safety at work are set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (as amended) which falls under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This Act also provides for substantial fines and penalties for any breaches of the health and safety laws.
Many of the specific health and safety laws are set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007-2020. Information on these regulations is available on the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) website. If the Deputy has further queries in this regard he may wish to put a question to that Department in relation to health and safety at work.
593. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the agreed Departmental definition of a refuge bed, a refuge unit, and a refuge space; if he will clarify the counting mechanisms for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14200/25]
View answer594. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of refuge beds currently operational in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14201/25]
View answer595. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new domestic violence refuge beds added in each county since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14202/25]
View answer596. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied that Ireland is meeting its obligations under the Istanbul Convention vis-à-vis provision of domestic violence refuge spaces; the requirements of the Istanbul Convention versus the current situation for domestic violence services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/25]
View answer597. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an accurate estimate of the average length of time it takes to deliver a domestic violence refuge using the capital assistance scheme funding system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 593 to 597, inclusive, together.
The Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) published in June 2022, is our most ambitious and is structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination. One of the overarching goals of the strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and includes an ambitious target to double the number of refuge spaces by the end of 2026.
To accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year on year, Cuan, the DSGBV Agency, was established last year. While currently almost three quarters of the population in the State is within 30 minutes of a refuge location, I am aware of the need to improve on this, and to ensure that services are accessible to everyone living in rural areas. Achieving this, including through the completion of a National Services Development Plan, is a core objective of Cuan’s Corporate Plan 2025-2027, which was published at the end of last year.
There were 147 refuge units at the end of 2023, with 12 new units delivered in 2024, including the state-of-the-art refuge in Wexford. In 2025, another 54 units are set to be under construction or due for refurbishment this year, of which 22 are expected to be delivered in Dublin and Louth.
Cuan is now responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy and is working in partnership with the local front-line services providers, local authorities, the Department of Housing and the Housing Agency and has streamlined processes in order to accelerate the delivery of domestic violence refuges.
As the Deputy's questions relates to work being carried out by Cuan and data held by Cuan, I have referred them to the agency for direct response.
598. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the local community safety plan; how it is proposed to be set up; who appoints the chairperson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14205/25]
View answerA key principle of the Report of Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to promote community safety. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides for the establishment of this national infrastructure, central to which are Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) which will operate at each local authority level. They will build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees (JPCs), supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority. The objective is to bring the relevant bodies, including the Gardaí, together with communities in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified and prioritised by local people. Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan and will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner; addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community. A total of 36 Partnerships will be established, based in each local authority area. Each LCSP will be supported by a fulltime coordinator and fulltime administrator resourced by the Department of Justice and will be led by a voluntary Chair. The Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety. A function of this Office is to provide training, guidance and support to the Partnerships. In preparation for the establishment of the National Office a number of staff, including a Director Designate, have been appointed. These staff are engaging directly with local authorities and other stakeholders to support the establishment of the Partnerships.
In accordance with the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, I intend to make regulations providing, inter alia, for the election of chairs and vice chairs of the Local Community Safety Partnerships, once the Act has been commenced. I expect to commence the Act shortly.
